So I finally got around to ordering my new heater valve for my car. Today MSA calls me and asks if I want to include the 2 little hoses for it with my order. They are charging $17 for them. My question is, do I need to use the ones they are selling, or will regualr rubber hose like the kind in the engine bay work down there. The heater valve already cost me $98, so Id rather not add another 17 on if I don't have to. Thanks.

I wouldnt buy then untill you got the part in, Then if you need the hoses you could always order them..

So I finally got around to ordering my new heater valve for my car. Today MSA calls me and asks if I want to include the 2 little hoses for it with my order. They are charging $17 for them. My question is, do I need to use the ones they are selling, or will regualr rubber hose like the kind in the engine bay work down there. The heater valve already cost me $98, so Id rather not add another 17 on if I don't have to. Thanks.

The bends in those hoses are kind of acute, so regular straight hose would probably kink. Always possbile that you could route something to work, though. Waiting until you get the part to see if you need them will cost you another shipping charge if you do. That's probably $8-$10 right there! If I were you, I'd take a look at them, and if they look original, then they are OLD, and probably should be replaced. If one of them ruptures, you get a footwell full of coolant in your car. Also, it is a major pain to take this stuff apart under the dash, so why do it twice for $17?

i'll second that.

do it once, replace all hoses, clean up the heater box, lube cables etc. i had my heater core boiled out and pressure checked/repaired at the same time. you can sleep easier knowing its all good.

it's enough of a PITA that you won't want to get it all together and have a leaking hose in a couple of months.

on my '71, there is a small prebent hose connecting the core to the valve (don't know if same in yours) that i was able to get at local auto parts store. the counterman was able to find the same bend and i just had to cut it to length (about $6).

bart

I'm not really sure if the hoses are originals or not. Im guessing so. The jackass who owned the car before me wasn't smart enough to use a fuel filter, so I'm pretty sure he never replaced any hoses either. Anyone know if these look original or not? Picture I guess I may try to find them at the auto parts store. I have a few days to decide if I want to order them from MSA.

Those look like the originals with the braided covering. I changed the heater core and valve in my 78 about a year and half ago. That's what the old hoses looked like. The new ones, however, are not braided but they do have the proper bends. I got them through a friend that has a Z shop in Upland, Ca. but I don't actually know where he got them. As I recall, they were only about 11 bucks. After all that work there was no way I was going to put the old hoses back in! Order them, they'll be money well spent!

Anyone know if these look original or not? Picture

They look original but could be exact OEM replacements. The braiding on the hoses is the key. I don't know if those MSA sells are OEM or aftermarket.

I do remember Elvan (my friend w/the Z shop) saying that the aftermarket hoses are better since the technology is better than the original ones which were made 25+ years ago.

i'd love to find someone who sells just the cloth braiding that could be slipped over aftermarket hoses to simulate oem. everywhere i've looked the only thing available is stainless covered hoses. they look great but i'd rather the oem look.

bart

Oh, I don't know. I'd just rather have hoses that work. I also like OEM but as far as the things that can cause problems, I'll take functionality over originality. I guess that would also depend on what the vehicle's use is. I've seen people pay a premium price on eBay for original hoses. But would you trust 30 year old hoses on a daily driver?

agreed.

new hoses with today's better rubber compounds married with the look of oem braiding.

i just like the 'different' look of the braiding compared to the plain rubber you see on every car today. just another detail that sets the Z apart from the rest of the pack.

Alright, so it looks like im going to get the hoses they sell. I guess doing it once right is worth more than saving a few bucks and possible having to do it again. Laying upsidedown in 95 degree heat holding a flashlight in one hand, and screwdriver in the other with antifreeze dripping everywhere is no fun.